This blog is produced by Brendan Buck, a qualified and experienced town planner. Contact Brendan - brendan@buckplanning.ie or 087-2615871 - if you need planning advice.

Monday, 12 September 2011

McDonald's refused Temple Bar permit

Dublin City Council has denied planning permission for a McDonald's restaurant in Temple Bar.

The proposed development had met resistance from groups such as An Taisce and the Temple Bar Cultural Trust who argued that its construction would detract from the cultural, artistic and historic character of the area.

The US-based fast food giant had hoped to locate itself on the site of Frankie's Steakhouse and Bar at Temple Bar Square.

Explaining its decision, Dublin City Council said that Temple Bar was already adequately served by restaurants, that the building in question was a protected structure and that adding a McDonald's would add to the space congestion in what is a small public space.

On its website, the council said that the introduction of another take-away facility into the area would have a "detrimental impact on the mix of uses within the Temple Bar area which already has an ample supply of restaurants."

The council also found fault with the proposal to insert automatic doors, which it said, would "negatively detract from the building's specific historic character".

The council further argued that the addition of McDonald's would overcrowd what is already a busy area.

"It is considered that the proposed development which will result in the intensification of the existing restaurant use on a site adjoining this space will have a significant negative impact on this public space by reason of congregation and further congestion on this space which is restricted in size and already oversubscribed at peak trading times," they said.

The council added that to allow planning permission for the building would be "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".

McDonald's now have four weeks to appeal the decision to Dublin City Council after which they can appeal again to An Bord Pleanála.

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Planning & Design Consultant

Brendon Buck is a Town Planner. His principal area of expertise are managing planning applications and appeals. He also represents individuals and communities during the planning process for projects which impact on them. He has worked in public and private sector planning for almost 20 years. He maintains a Masters degree in Regional and Urban Planning, and diplomas in Urban Design and in Environmental Impact Assessment / Strategic Environmental Assessment. He is a member of the Irish Planning Institute (the accreditation body for Irish town planners who make and assess planning applications).

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